Over on Twitter, Austen expert, Paula Byrne, recently asked why Jane Austen serves so well as a comfort read in troubled times.

Help me out, Twitter friends. I'm writing a little Lockdown book about the solace of reading, especially Jane Austen., during troubled times. What is it about her work, her world, her writing that brings comfort?

— Prof Paula Byrne (@paulajaynebyrne) October 3, 2020

Prof. Byrne’s question produced many excellent answers, and I’d like to expand on my comment from ...